At the time it stated that "the Company is currently reviewing the resources and mine plan at Ellendale, and in light of the short remaining life of mine and the current economic environment, even with the improvement in prices for the Tiffany quality goods".

The hive of activity has been attributed to onshore oil and gas activity in the Canning Basin along with an increased interest in resources like uranium, bauxite and copper, although the area is historically known for its world class diamond operations, such as Rio Tinto's Argyle mine.